Seoul placed 17th [1] in Monocle magazine's 2026 [1] Quality of Life Survey, which ranks cities worldwide on various livability factors.

This ranking provides a benchmark for how the South Korean capital compares to other global hubs in providing a high standard of living for its residents. As cities face increasing urban pressure, these metrics highlight the balance between infrastructure and the mental well-being of the population.

The Monocle survey utilizes a methodology that evaluates several key pillars of urban living. These include public safety, public transport, green governance, and cultural offerings [2]. For the 2026 [1] iteration of the survey, the publication introduced a specific emphasis on a city's ability to ensure happiness [2].

"The Monocle survey of cities takes into account public safety, public transport, green governance, cultural offerings, among others, and this year's poll also placed emphasis on a city's ability to ensure happiness," Min Sun-hee said [2].

Seoul's position at 17th [1] reflects its standing among the most livable cities globally. The assessment considers how well a city manages its environment and the quality of services available to the public, factors that contribute to the overall attractiveness of the city for both locals and international visitors.

While the Monocle survey highlights Seoul's global standing in quality of life, other metrics vary. For instance, the city did not appear in a 2024 list from Business Insider regarding the best Asian cities for expats, illustrating a gap between general livability and specific preferences for foreign workers.

“Seoul placed 17th in Monocle magazine's 2026 Quality of Life Survey.”

The inclusion of 'happiness' as a metric in the 2026 survey suggests a shift in how global livability is measured, moving beyond hard infrastructure like transport and safety toward subjective well-being. Seoul's high ranking indicates strong institutional performance, though the disparity between this result and expat-specific rankings suggests that while the city is functionally high-quality, it may face different challenges regarding social integration for non-nationals.